Life in Las Vegas has a way of turning everything into a spectacle. But for OG Anunoby, even the bright lights of the Strip couldn’t shake his steady, no-frills demeanor. After the New York Knicks clinched the NBA Cup with a 124-113 win over the San Antonio Spurs at T-Mobile Arena, Anunoby delivered a performance that spoke volumes-then followed it up with a postgame moment that was quietly, unintentionally hilarious.
During the press conference, a reporter tried to set the scene with a metaphor-laced question: “Vegas is built on winners and losers. How’s the town look as a winner?”
Anunoby, never one to play into theatrics, responded with a puzzled look and a simple, “Uh. How’s the town look?”
The exchange didn’t get much smoother from there.
The reporter doubled down: “People look at the town differently when they’re winning.”
Anunoby, still not quite buying in: “Yeah…what do you mean?”
Eventually, the message landed: “Being in this town a winner.”
Anunoby’s final response? “Oh. Yeah…I’m happy we came out winning the game.”
It was the kind of moment that might’ve made social media rounds for its awkwardness, but it also perfectly captured who OG Anunoby is: unbothered, focused, and all about the game. No glitz, no gimmicks-just basketball.
And on that front, Anunoby delivered.
While Jalen Brunson earned MVP honors for the tournament, Anunoby’s performance throughout the knockout stage was every bit as vital to the Knicks’ title run. In the final, he dropped a game-high 28 points on an efficient 10-of-17 shooting, including 5-of-10 from beyond the arc. He added nine rebounds, three assists, and a block in 40 minutes, playing with the kind of energy and versatility that’s made him one of the league’s most valuable two-way wings.
The turning point came in the third quarter when the Knicks erased a second-half deficit with a 13-1 run-Anunoby was right in the middle of it, flying around on both ends of the floor, hitting shots, switching onto multiple positions, and making life miserable for the Spurs.
Across the three knockout games-against Toronto, Orlando, and San Antonio-Anunoby averaged 19.3 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.7 steals, and 1.0 blocks in just under 35 minutes per game. His defensive instincts were on full display, jumping passing lanes, contesting shots, and anchoring the perimeter defense that helped New York control the tempo in crunch time.
Despite missing most of pool play with a hamstring injury, Anunoby made such a strong impression in the elimination rounds that he even earned an MVP vote from News 9’s Steve McGehee. It wasn’t enough to overtake Brunson, but it was a nod to just how impactful Anunoby was when it mattered most.
This NBA Cup run gave the Knicks more than just a trophy-it gave them a glimpse of what this team can look like when all the pieces are healthy and locked in. And in OG Anunoby, they’ve got a player who doesn’t care much for the spotlight, but plays like someone who belongs in it.